Event NYC04CA129

Factual narrative

On May 23, 2004, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Grumman-American AA-5, N7132L, was substantially damaged during takeoff at the Riconn Airport (RI11), Greene, Rhode Island. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR part 91. The pilot stated that he performed a normal engine run-up, and decided to add 10 degrees of flaps for the takeoff. During the takeoff from runway 27, a 1,600-foot-long, grass runway, the airplane became airborne, approximately 300 feet into the takeoff roll. At that point, the pilot realized that the airspeed was too low to climb-out and there was not sufficient runway to abort the takeoff. As the airplane continued, the left wing came in contact with a tree top and the pilot performed a forced landing to an adjacent corn field. After touchdown, the airplane bounced, veered left, and came to rest in a wooded area. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane was not flown beyond its capabilities, and that the high density altitude and the short grass runway were the cause of the accident. The pilot stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine. The "Short Field Take-Off" procedure, as described in the Grumman-American owners manual, stated that " After alignment in the take-off direction, advance the throttle and begin the take-off roll with the elevator neutral. At 60 MPH apply elevator back pressure for rotation, then climb at 73 MPH while in ground effect below 50 ft. If terrain and other obstacles are to be cleared after take-off and above the 50 foot obstacle, accelerate to best angle of climb ( 78 MPH at sea level) ." In addition, the "Before Take-Off" checklist required the flaps to be selected to the "UP" position (zero degrees) prior to takeoff. The owners manual did not include a performance chart to calculate the takeoff distance from a grass runway. A weather observation at the Theodore Francis Green State Airport, located approximately 16 miles southwest of the private airport, reported about the time of the accident, included winds from 160 degrees at 9 knots, temperature 69 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 59 degrees Fahrenheit and altimeter setting 29.83 inches of Hg. The calculated density altitude was approximately 1,040 feet msl. While departing from the 1,600-foot long, grass runway, with the flaps set to 10 degrees, the pilot realized that the airspeed was too slow to climb out, and there was not sufficient runway to abort the takeoff. As the airplane continued, the left wing came in contact with a tree top and the pilot performed a forced landing to an adjacent corn field. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane was not flown beyond its capabilities, and that the high density altitude and the short grass runway were the cause of the accident. In addition, the "Before Take-Off" checklist required the flaps to be selected to the "UP" position (zero degrees) prior to takeoff. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12